Atlanta Braves: First round 2016 MLB Draft picks
The Atlanta Braves have the chance to make some valuable additions in the 2016 MLB Draft with five of the first 80 picks. Round 1 kicked off on Thursday night, and the Braves seemingly did just that.
In the 2016 MLB Draft, the Atlanta Braves had the No. 3 overall pick in the first round as well as the No. 40 overall pick in Lottery Round “A”. In the second round, the Braves have the No. 44 overall selection, and the No. 76 overall pick in Lottery Round “B”. In rounds three through 40, the Braves will have the third selection in each round, starting with the No. 80 overall pick.
The 2016 MLB first-year player draft began on Thursday, June 8, with Round 1 and Lottery Round “A”. With the third overall pick in the first round, the Atlanta Braves selected right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson.
VIA Jordan Hill, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"The Atlanta Braves added to their stockpile of young arms on Thursday, selecting right-handed pitcher Ian Anderson with the third overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft.Anderson pitches at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, New York, and is in the midst of a state semifinal run with the team. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound Anderson has been committed to play collegiately at Vanderbilt.“We are very pleased to be able to get what we consider one of the top pitchers in the draft,” said Brian Bridges, the Braves’ director of scouting. “Ian’s command of his pitches, especially his fastball, is really impressive for such a young pitcher. He is one of the youngest players in this draft class, and he possesses a ‘plus’ fastball, curveball and changeup.”"
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The Braves opted for another pitcher in Lottery Round “A”. With the 40th overall selection, the Atlanta Braves selected left-handed pitcher Joey Wentz.
VIA Brad Rowland of Talking Chop
"Wentz, who stands at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, played his high school baseball at Shawnee Mission East in Kansas, and the talented left-hander ranked highly on various draft boards. ESPN’s Keith Law ranked Wentz as the number 22 overall prospect, while MLB Pipeline anointed him as the number 16 player available in this year’s draft.Because of potential signability issues, Wentz fell to the point where the Braves could select him with their second pick of the night, but given the bonus pool, Atlanta should have every opportunity to pony up the money necessary to secure his services for the future.Braves fans will undoubtedly exercise some level of caution in yet another high school arm, but Joey Wentz presents talent that is not normally available with the number 40 pick in the MLB Draft."
In all, Round 1 of the 2016 MLB Draft consisted of the addition two more prospective pitchers for the Braves. How’s that for bolstering a farm system?
Next: Atlanta Braves: Kelly Johnson traded to Mets for Akeel Morris
Will the Braves now look towards adding some dynamic bats? Next up, in Round 2 the Atlanta Braves will have the No. 44 overall selection and No. 76 in Lottery Round “B.” The draft takes place June 9-11 and can be viewed on MLB Network.